Baby Puke

I think holding your breath for the first couple strokes in a kilo is normal, you're essentially deadlifting.

ruudlaff

Yeah from a lifting technique point of view the hold of the breath is actively encouraged for power production, I would guess this would be similar for the first few revolutions to pull away.

jsk

I do the same thing on my standing starts (holding my breath), others at the track kept telling me to breathe. To me it's just what comes naturally. I really don't think lack of oxygen is limiting me in any way, so I'm not too worried about it.

southernfox

Is oxygen uptake a typical limiter in kilo efforts?

taras0000

Are you asking because you think you'll be doing Kilos? Women race the 500m, where oxygen isn't really a problem unless you're going over 40 seconds. In the Kilo, it is a problem. The timing of a Kilo falls into a "no-mans land" of energy systems suitability.

You've got about 40-45 seconds of glycogen stored in your muscles and bloodstream for use in a one shot deal. The 500m falls into this timeline. The true production of aerobic energy starts at around the 1 minute mark, and this is regardless of who you are because it depends on the prduction and accumulation of lactic acid to begin. These are all relative times. The faster/more explosive you are, the shorter these times become (for the CP and Glycogen times, by about 2-5 seconds). For about 15 seconds in the Kilo, you're behind the 8-ball when it comes to producing energy. It's why guys typically drop anchor at the 750m mark, and slowly but surely start to nosedive on speed before leveling that out going into turn 3.

So it depends on what you mean about O2 uptake. It does limit Kilo performance, but it is physically impossible for anyone to take in enough Oxygen during the effort to replenish the energy used. The aerobic system just can't produce energy that quickly. The only way you can extend your Glycolitic energy window is by holding back a little in that first lap. You might gain a second or 3 at the tail end of the window, limiting your time in "no-mans land". That's how Enduros to Kilos and get pretty close in time to the specialists. The Kilo guys are even starting to blunt their starts a bit with good results.

southernfox

I'm asking because if oxygen uptake isn't a limiter, then holding one's breath for the start wouldn't be an issue...so the point becomes moot.

Yes, I know women do the 500m. That's not what I'm talking about.

ETA: I may be new to the track, but I'm not new to cycling or physiology.

carleton

There are 3 general ways to ride a kilo:

- Start as hard as you can then push as hard as you can until you cross the finish line.
- Start as hard as you can, then "float" for some distance and recover from the start, then push hard as you can to the end.
- Start moderately (as a pursuit start) then negative-split each lap and ramp up the intensity.

Pick one based on your strengths and weaknesses.

southernfox, the kilo is compared to the 800m foot race in terms of intensity and "lactic acid burn".

Beginners do them every week at local tracks. Maybe try one in drop bars and you'll experience what we are talking about. As the saying goes, "Only fools and madmen specialize in the Kilo."

taras0000

There is a breathing pattern that is used for standing starts. It doesn't differ from event to event, but pursuiters will breathe more often.

Initially on a standing start, you will exhale on the bottom part of the first downstroke. You will inhale on the upstroke, and exhale the same way on the next downstroke. You use the valsalva at the top of the downstroke to generate the internal pressure that stabilizes your core/torso to create the torque needed to have an explosive downstroke. After the second or third downstroke, the riders may continue with exhaling on the left downstroke, or go every couple/few pedal strokes. The transition will vary for each cyclist depending on how they are geared, or how they are choosing to ride the Kilo (all out vs. float). Once a cyclist goes off of exhaling every left pedal stroke, it will be a rhythmic thing (not necessarily coinciding with left/right pedal stroke). It's still tied to pedal strokes, but only because the valsalva/exhale will coincide with the torque-iest part of the downstroke, regardless of side.

Breathing is important because holding your breath too much will impede you later on. You'll see riders loading up on a few deep breaths just before the start of the Kilo.

southernfox

I need an emergency set of spare wheels for training/training races. ...and I need them by early Wed.

Would either of these be workable?

https://www.amazon.com/Vuelta-ZeroLi...eel&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Divebrian

Where are you located? Personally, I would not choose either of those sets. I have a set of Mavic Ellipse sitting around that I can ship to you and you can send back at your convenience. You can keep them for awhile (within reason, maybe a couple of months) to give you a chance to research better options. I'm not worried about you breaking them, if you do, so be it, I'll get over it....they are just a spare, spare set laying around. May even consider selling them to you for a good price if you fall in love with them.

southernfox

I'm in Charleston SC. Really? That would be really really sweet of you.

Divebrian

No problem, my sister lives in N Charleston area....so I can send her after you if decide to keep my wheels and not send them back or pay for them It should take 2 days with UPS, so you should have them tomorrow afternoon, probably around $35-40 to ship.

southernfox

PM sent. Thanks so much!!

southernfox

System won't let me PM until a cooldown period: answer to your question is 'YES'

southernfox

(Sorry y'all...time sensitive work-around)

Brian, if you pm me your number I can text you mine. System won't let me PM for another ~30min.

Divebrian

Won't let me send you another PM for 60 minutes, I'll PM you then, I won't be leaving the house until then anyways and I live 5 minutes from the FedEx drop off.

topflightpro

I know a guy who uses those Vueltas. They're like $90 at Performance or Nashbar - Vuelta Zerolite Track Wheelset

dunderhi

I picked up a black set and a white set of these during their holiday sale last year for $50/pair. They are now $70. They aren't racing wheels, but with 36 spokes and tall profile rims, they do carry my massive amounts of excess poundage well.

FREE SHIP 48 STATES* Vuelta PRO V Fixie Track Bicycle Wheelsets PROMO SALE Super Fast Aero Rim Fixie Track Wheels with Smoothest Precision Bearing Hubs Available in New Custom Rim Colors

pierrej

Small, random and not quite track related. Trying to find a certain American frame maker but cannot remember the name.
Notable points were they made aluminium race bikes, I think had an Italian sounding name. They offered their frames in two kinds of geometry, even numbers (54,56,58) were reasonably standard and odds (55,57,59) were longer and lower. Also tended to be quite fluro and usually two colours with a fade.
If that jigs anyone's memory help would be appreciated

taras0000

Nothing comes to mind. Did you ask in the framebuilder's forum?

pierrej

Will do that👍 only really lurk here

topflightpro

Gaulzetti?

southernfox

Is there any issue using a 'road' front wheel w/ 25mm tires (with a track bolt skewer, of course!)?

1incpa

No issue with that. I've been doing it for the last 2 seasons.
I took Carleton's advice and replaced the aluminum nut with a steel one from a cheap skewer. If you don't do that, at least put a spare in your track bag.
Paul

700wheel

You can use a QR for certain TT and pursuit races per Cycling USA rule 1I3(a). I've often seen QR used during training.

My opinion is that a QR is more reliable than a track bolt skewer (at least the ones I'm familiar with) because their are only tensile stresses rather then combined tensile and torsional stresses. Of course axel material properties also come into play. Personally I would use neither in a track race.